California auto insurance premiums dropped by 3 percent last year

According to InsWeb, an online company that compares insurance quotes for consumers, the median six-month California auto insurance rate declined more than 3 percent in the past 12 months. That means the average auto insurance premium for California motorists now stands at $809.

Not surprisingly, men under 19 years of age spend the most at $2,141, while men and women over 75 spend the least at $675.

Further, according to the website, the national median auto insurance rate also declined by 5.6 percent, putting the average six-month premium at $675.

Insweb says California is the 19th most expensive state to insure a vehicle, while Louisiana is considered to have the most expensive auto insurance rates. Minnesota is considered the most affordable state for auto insurance premiums.

The drop in the average premium for California motorists comes despite a report from Men's Health magazine released earlier this month, which found several California cities - Bakersfield, Fresno and Riverside - had some of the highest drunk driving arrest rates in the country. A conviction for driving under the influence can cause auto insurance premiums to rise dramatically.